Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

The Mercedes-Benz C 300 Coupe is available with a 241hp, 273 lb-ft turbocharged inline-four, a 9-speed automatic transmission is standard and power is sent to either the rear wheels or all four in the 4MATIC variant.
Power, handling and economy are all up with the best in class although ride quality is poor as is rear passenger space.
A panoramic sunroof and rearview camera are offered as standard while available options include cornering headlamps, air suspension and heated and ventilated front seats.

Trims

2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Review

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been around in sedan form for a few years now and the recently revised coupe models really make the most of the already desirable exterior design.

The deletion of two doors add a level of exclusivity to the range and as the C-Class coupe is offered with a similarly comprehensive level of drivetrain and trim options as its sedan counterpart, it is well-placed to challenge competitors like the BMW 4-Series and Lexus RC.

For 2018 an improved base level of specification and a new transmission further enhance its desirability.

What’s it like inside?

The coupe offers a very similar interior to the sedan variants, this means high quality switchgear and cabin materials that would not look out of place in something a few categories higher.

The long front doors mean that sliding into the front seats is even easier than in the sedan, the center console has the familiar infotainment screen and control unit that falls easily to hand.

That svelte roofline and two-door layout mean that the rear row suffers a bit when it comes to head room and a degree of bending and contorting is required to climb into the back too. Shorter adults should find the rear seats supportive although it is best reserved for children on longer trips or used as extra cargo space.

The cargo area is deep but not quite as generous as in the sedan, overall though, these are compromises that shoppers used to coupes will not be unfamiliar with.

How does it drive?

The C-Class coupe’s sporty suspension setup keeps it stuck to the road when things get twisty and it carves up corners in a very satisfying manner. This handling ability comes at the cost of basic ride comfort as the standard suspension struggles to soak up road imperfections, the available air suspension may improve matters as will sticking to the standard 18-inch wheels.

Cabin noise is very subdued and even when pressing on the sounds coming from the engine bay are very muted, the controls feel responsive and accurate to driver inputs too, making the C-Class Coupe feel very sporty when the mood takes you.

What about the performance?

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz C 300 coupe is available with a 2.0-liter 241 horsepower turbocharged inline-four, its 273 lb-ft of torque is sent to the rear wheels or in the case of the 4Matic, all four.

Both are offered with a 9-speed automatic transmission which is new for the coupe and the claimed 0-60 mph time of 5.9-seconds is right in the middle of the segment. The claimed 22/30 city/highway mpg rating is also competitive. There are more powerful AMG models in the range but for most purposes, the C300 is a capable and eager performer.

The Multimedia Package meanwhile adds a touchpad controller, 8.4-inch Comand hard-drive navigation with updates for 3 years and SiriusXM traffic and weather service for 5 years. The range of color and internal trim and insert options is vast and allows for a high level of individual customization.

The Verdict

The 2017 C-Class Coupe possesses a level of style and build quality that its competitors find hard to compete with. Its dynamic abilities and strong performance further add to its desirability as do the comprehensive safety systems.

Cramped rear seating and limited cargo space are small prices to pay for such an accomplished midsize luxury sports coupe.